Blog

Our latest blog posts:

 MEDIA RELEASE – SH’MA KOLEINU/ALTERNATIVE JEWISH VOICES – MEDIA RELEASE

Calling out the injustices of Israeli Government actions does not constitute anti-Semitism

Two organisations – the Israel Institute of New Zealand and the NZ Jewish Council – have again accused groups and individuals – including Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman – of anti-Semitism for speaking out against unjust Israeli government actions. 

We at Sh’ma Koleinu/Alternative Jewish Voices challenge the allegation that criticism of Israel is anti-Semitic per se. We are committed New Zealand Jews who support the core Jewish values of social justice, fairness, and human rights.  When a state does not live up to these principles, we will stand up and criticise it. Criticism of Israeli policy and actions of a secular government for violating human rights is justified, and cannot be construed as anti-Semitism.

In reference to the current issue, Israel occupies the Palestinian territories. The responsibilities of an occupying power are matters of law, not opinion, Israel’s failure to meet its legal or moral obligations to five million Palestinians is a matter of growing international protest.

Our view is that Golriz Ghahraman, Jewish Voice for Peace, Rabbis for Human Rights, Alternative Jewish Voices and others can justifiably refer to this practice as a form of ‘medical apartheid’.

Making accusations of anti-Semitism to critics who speak out against Israeli government actions is a common tactic employed to shut down debate, deflect criticism and avoid addressing the substance of the argument. The weaponisation of this phrase ‘anti-Semitism’ is a corruption of the term. Let us return to the real meaning of anti-Semitism – a hatred of Jews and Jewishness – place it alongside other hatreds, and take up the work of anti-racism together.

Alternative Jewish Voices wants New Zealand to understand that the views promulgated by the Israel Institute of NZ and the NZ Jewish Council – which closely align with the current right wing government in the State of Israel – do not represent the views, principles and values of all of NZ Jews.

We ask that media outlets ground their writing in the law of occupation, not solely in the views of groups like the Israel Institute of NZ and NZ Jewish Council, whose use accusations of anti-Semitism to shut down legitimate criticism.

ENDS

Statement by:  Sh’ma Koleinu / Alternative Jewish Voices collective https://ajv.org.nz/ , 10/1/21

For deeper discussion of these and the broader issues, investigate the following links

Other international:

Palestine Action UK: GJP supports demands for hunger strikers’ freedom

For Immediate release re: Palestine Action UK GJP supports demands for the hunger strikers’ freedom Eight prisoners associated with Palestine Action have been on hunger strike, in protest against their repressive and inhumane conditions in British prisons. Several have been hospitalised; their health is deteriorating quickly, so they need urgent intervention. To hear their message,…

Marilyn Garson's avatar by Marilyn Garson

Aroha to the Sydney Jewish community

December 15, 2025 This morning we awake to the shocking news that two murderers have attacked Jewish Australians at a Chanukah gathering. We condemn utterly each act of senseless violence. Chanukah is a festival of light, and this crime has cast it into deep darkness. We in Aotearoa were forever changed by another act of…

Marilyn Garson's avatar by Marilyn Garson

Chanukah 2025: Eight Lights for Rights

Chanukah 2025: this year, we kindle eight lights for rights. The Jewish holiday of Chanukah (December 14 – 22, 2025) suffers from its proximity to Christmas. Chanukah’s relevance gets lost in the glitter. The story of Chanukah, told in four Books of the Maccabees, is not part of the Jewish canon. It is found in…

Marilyn Garson's avatar by Marilyn Garson

Latin American Jewish groups warn, after Abraham comes the Isaac Accords

Press release from Global Jews for Palestine December 5 / 6, 2025 Latin American Jewish groups warn, after Abraham comes the Isaac Accords Amidst escalating condemnation of Israel’s genocidal campaign in Gaza, the president of Argentina, Javier Milei, is fronting “a philanthropic program focused on promoting the integration of Israel with Latin America.” Known as…

Marilyn Garson's avatar by Marilyn Garson

Seeing genocide, New Zealand has chosen the wrong side of history before.

We have done this before. Seeing genocide—millions of Cambodians dead and millions of starving survivors—Aotearoa has chosen the wrong side of history in order to assure American-led allies that we shared their priorities. I saw the cost while travelling and working with Cambodian survivors. Now, again, Aotearoa is content to follow a criminal American agenda.…

Marilyn Garson's avatar by Marilyn Garson

Our post archives, by month:

Follow Sh’ma Koleinu – Alternative Jewish Voices

Get new posts from Sh’ma Koleinu delivered directly to your inbox.